WINNSBORO, S.C. — The temptation of the Democrats' high-powered candidates may be too much for the South Carolina voters who helped John Edwards to his only presidential primary win in 2004.

With its status as one of the four early voting states in the 2008 nomination race, South Carolina could again provide a much needed boost to Edwards' campaign. But state Democrats are attracted to rivals Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, with Edwards struggling to hold onto his previous support.

Some voters say Edwards, the native son from Seneca, S.C., had his chance and they're looking for someone new.

Tige Watts, who supported Edwards in 2004, said at a recent gathering of Clinton supporters that Edwards wasn't getting his vote now. "I think he's just had his time," said Watts, of Columbia, S.C.

As candidates step up their appearances in the state, Clinton's name is the one most frequently mentioned.

"She's a woman. She ran the White House when her was husband was there," said Erma Aragon, 77, who is now undecided three years after helping Edwards take 80 percent of the vote in her precinct in this town north of Columbia.

Some voters also said Clinton's experience as first lady is a reason to pick her over other candidates.

"Hillary Clinton has a strong background. Bill Clinton was real good for us. The fact that he's in her corner gives her 50 percent for writing her name down," said Damon Young, a 33-year-old barber in Columbia, where Edwards spoke at a historically black college Monday.

The former North Carolina senator stressed the need for a national energy policy in his address at Benedict College. Edwards also answered questions from the crowd about sex education and gun rights.

"I do believe in the Second Amendment," Edwards said. "People who use their guns for hunting ought to be able to do that ... but we don't need 6-year-old children shooting 6-year-old children with pistols."

He also said schools should provide education about safe sex and abstinence to stem to the spread of AIDS.

"We should teach in our schools both abstinence and prevention," Edwards said. "Teenagers are going to be teenagers."

Remmer Vereen, a black math professor who supported Edwards in 2004, said he's feeling conflicted this time. He said he likes Clinton, but also is drawn to Obama because of race. That Edwards is originally from South Carolina is still a factor, though.

"This year is really confusing," Vereen said.

Political analysts say both Edwards and Arizona Sen. John McCain may be rejected by voters who picked them in past elections.

"Candidates can become stale if they're out there long enough. It is very difficult for candidates to come back after losing four years earlier," said Bill Moore, a political science professor at the College of Charleston.